Device for generating a source current of charge carriers by means of field emission and method for stabilizing a source current of charge carriers emitted by means of a field emission element

摘要

In one embodiment, the device (100) is for generating a source current of carriers by field emission. The device comprises a field emission element (1), from which the charge carriers emerge during operation of the device, which lead to an emission current in the field emission element (1). In addition, the apparatus includes an extraction electrode (7) for applying an extraction voltage to extract the carriers from the field emission element (1). In this case, a first part of the extracted charge carriers contributes to the source current and a second part of the extracted charge carriers strikes the extraction electrode (7) and leads to an extraction current in the extraction electrode. A control device (21) of the device is set up to reduce fluctuations in a control variable Q characteristic of the source current during operation of the device (100).